===“Wherever you are on the political spectrum, paying down debt is a really important concept.”===
The Raunerites beg to differ.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Jun 2, 21 @ 11:28 am:
“paying down debt is a really important concept”
The DPI is now the fiscally responsible party. That talking point is priceless and should be a main feature of the party, especially after the GOP fiscal catastrophe of Rauner and Trump (and post-Trump, with rejection of the federal stimulus). But will it hammer home those talking points, like the GOP does?
- Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Jun 2, 21 @ 11:44 am:
GOP mad as heck, now get that money I voted against flowing to my district. I’ve got credit to take.
Normal, IL, USA / www.cities929.com
Jun 1, 2021 | 12:12 AM
(The Center Square) – The Illinois legislature is poised to send Gov. J.B. Pritzker an annual spending plan that could be about $1 billion out of balance, Republicans said.
Lawmakers revealed budget details on the final day of session on Memorial Day. House Majority Leader Greg Harris, D-Chicago, told a committee the budget is balanced.
“There are no tax increases in this budget,” Harris said. “We pay down $2 billion in debt and we pay our interfund borrowing. We fully fund the evidence based [K-12 school funding] model.”
Harris said the budget spends $42.3 billion based on $41.3 billion in revenue. Republicans say that represents a $1 billion deficit.
Budget on hold
Illinois lawmakers passed the annual budget in the early morning hours Tuesday, but the Senate President filed a procedural hold, keeping it from advancing.
The $42 billion spending plan decreases a variety of tax incentive programs employer groups say equates to more than $600 million in tax increases.
The measure, which includes around $2.5 billion in federal COVID-relief funds, also increases lawmaker salaries.
It does not pay down the state’s $5 billion debt in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.
Ethics package passes, but some want stricter measures
Ethics reform passed the statehouse, but some are already looking for stricter measures to hold lawmakers accountable.